Information

The Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) Section was established in 2005 to provide a specific component within the IAFC to concentrate on policies and issues relating to the health and safety of firefighters.

2012 "Think Safety" Monthly Calendar Now Available

The 2012 International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Safety, Health and Survival Section’s (SHS) Think Safety monthly planner is now available. This pocket-sized planner, published annually by the SHS, is full of valuable, actionable safety tips that apply to firefighters, paramedics/EMTs, company officers and chiefs.

Fire chiefs are responsible for keeping firefighter safety and survival at the forefront of the department, even in these challenging economic times. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, chiefs can put a planner into firefighters' hands; it’s an excellent vehicle to get critical safety information to personnel without breaking the budget. These planners are also an excellent way for chiefs to thank members for their service throughout the year and to tell members that they want them to be safe.

The planner features monthly calendar grids with ample space to jot down reminders, tasks and personal appointments. Each month also features a specific safety topic to keep the important reminders about health and safety in front of responders on a day-to-day basis.

In 2012, the monthly topics include:

Mayday Command

Watch Out Behind for Roadway Safety

Crew Resource Management - A Team Effort

Properly Maintaining Your Equipment

EMS Scene Safety

When to Talk - When to Listen

Hazardous Materials Safety

Crew Integrity: Staying Together

Firefighter Fitness

Violent Scenes/Safe Scenes

RICS - Know What to Do

Helping Yourself - Helping your Family

In addition to these monthly features, the planner doubles as a pocket reference by offering full-page resources relating to:

Firefighter Fatality Facts

Firefighter Survival

Cancer -Safety First

Near-Miss Reporting System

Rules of Engagement

Highway Lane Designations

Are You Heart Healthy?

16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

Multiple Firefighter Fatalities

Planners can be ordered online at www.positivepromotions.com/itp10cf or by phone at 1-877-258-1225, ext. 4021 (Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1900 hours ET). Orders of 50 or more planners can receive up to five lines of custom personalization on the front cover including your department’s logo. As department procurement needs may vary, orders may also be placed by mail, email and fax. For further information on alternative ordering methods, please email tmorgan@positivepromotions.com.

Proceeds support the work of the SHS, including program and resource development, interagency coordination and safety leadership opportunities. You depend on the SHS to be your firefighter/EMS safety leaders; together we can continue to make a difference.

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Fairfax, Va., Apr. 20, 2009... The IAFC is currently reviewing a study commissioned by the National League of Cities (NLC) that supports the NLC’s position opposing the workers compensation presumption that cancer in firefighters is linked to the job. The IAFC, an ardent supporter of cancer presumption laws, is deeply concerned about the impact this report may have on critical firefighter protections, as well as future health and safety research.

The NLC study, Assessing State Firefighter Cancer Presumption Laws and Current Firefighter Cancer Research, is a study of previous studies that, according to the NLC, “demonstrates inadequate scientific research to determine a link between working as a firefighter and an elevated risk of contracting cancer.” An initial assessment suggests that the new study offers no new independent research.

The IAFC, through the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section, and the IAFF, have each assembled a high-level team consisting of doctorate-level academicians, medical physicians and fire service safety and health experts to thoroughly evaluate the report and provide a complete assessment and fact-based resources for the IAFC, the fire and emergency service community, and the communities they serve.

The IAFC will issue updated information as soon as it is available. Please watch for more information via email, on the IAFC and IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section websites, and in IAFC On Scene.

Berni- I am not too sure of a study specifically to the issue you are looking for. I would be very interested to see something like this if there was one! You might try contacting the NFPA and see what they say.

Not sure of the exact statistics or where you might find them, but from personal experience when I was a young rookie on Molalla RFPD#73 a paid combination department in Oregon, we reduced the number of active service personnel from 86 to 53 back in 1986 and our on the job injuries increased 23% in 1987-88. Let me know if that helps...Ken

I am looking for some help, if anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!!! I can find all the studies about injury reduction when you increase staffing. Does anyone know of any research that shows of injury increases when staffing was cut on a fire department/stations closed/response times increased,ect. Thank you!!!!

We also have a group page on Facebook and Twitter. You can keep up with all of the 2009 Safety Week happenings and other issues involving the health and safety of the fire and EMS service in all three places.